Times are tough. You're either out of a job or yours doesn't pay enough. You need to save money, pay off your debt, and avoid going broke. Here's how you can radically cut your living costs without turning into a hobo.

You're not about to read through a magical plan that will give you all the conveniences of life for a dime. If you really want to live on the cheap, you're going to have to make some sacrifices. This guide will take you through a number of things I've done, and friends of mine have done, to dramatically cuts costs and live on the cheap. If you're currently earning a small amount of money, this guide can help you lower your expenses so that you can get by with ease. If you simply want more money than you have but a significant raise is not in the cards, you can use some of these tips to reduce spending in certain areas and use that money for the things that matter more to you. For example, I like to go out to eat with my friends and so I've learned to cook for practically no money so that I can always afford to do so. We'll look at this method and others to help you put your money where it matters, so pick the topics relevant to you if that's your goal. Alternatively, if you're looking to live simply and frugally on a meager paycheck, read it all for a full-blown plan.

Find a Super Cheap Place to Live

Whether you live alone or have a roommate, you're probably paying more for rent than necessary. By looking for the right kinds of places, however, you can cut your living costs pretty significantly.

Rent a Room, Not an Apartment

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Everyone could use a little extra cash these days, homeowners included, so there are plenty of people renting out rooms in their homes. Instead of concentrating on finding a decent apartment that you can split with a friend, look for an available room in someone's house. Often times families will be able to turn a separate area of the house into a private space, or they'll even be willing to share parts of the home with you. This usually means utilities are included in the rent (or at least a fixed monthly cost) and your rent will be much lower in general. If you can't find one of these rooms too easily in the usual locations (like Craigslist), try looking on temporary housing rental sites like Airbnb. Some owners will be willing to rent out their room at a lower rate if you'll stay long-term. All you have to do is ask.

If you own a home, apartment, or some sort of living space, then it should be fairly obvious what you can do: the reverse. Rent part of your living space to someone who can use it, or at least offer up a room for vacationers looking for a relatively cheap place to stay.

Move In with Grandma

Not your grandma, necessarily, but possibly somebody's grandma. When you're looking for a roommate, you should consider some unconventional options like the elderly or any assisted living situation. Sometimes all you'll need to provide is companionship and a little help around the house. Other times you can net yourself a free room by doing a little work as well. This is a great way to save some money if you have a primary job, or just get by until you can find one if you don't. If helping the elderly isn't your first choice, there are also physically and mentally handicapped people who need assistance as well. Some people will offer a room if you clean their house once a week. Searching local classifieds (e.g. Craigslist) for these types of living situations should find you a few opportunities, especially in bigger cities. It may take some patience to locate the opportunity you want, but just stay persistent and you should find something. You can also place an ad yourself to request this type of arrangement. Just try to steer clear of living situations that expect a sexual component, as these ads aren't always obvious and can be misleading.

Before You Move, Sell Your Excess Crap

Ignoring your furniture, if you can't fit all your belongings in your standard-sized car you probably have too many things. It'll be easier to move around without the weight of consumerism on your back, which means you can leave a particular place easily if a better opportunity comes along. At some point you won't have to be quite so nomadic, but it's an added bonus when you're trying to keep cash in your pocket. An even bigger bonus is actual cash in your pocket, and that's something you can get from selling your excess crap.

We've gone over selling your gadgets and all the stuff in your home that you don't need, so you'll want to read up on those guides for the full story. What you really need to concentrate on in your particular situation is one simple rule: if you haven't used it in the last six months, it's got to go. You should have 3-5 small exceptions for sentimental items, but if you have things you're not using it's time to get rid of them. On top of that, get in the mindset of sacrificing conveniences you don't actually need. This includes redundant items (e.g. a point and shoot camera when your phone does a good enough job and similar articles of clothing), appliances (e.g. microwaves, dish washers, and garbage disposals), and anything else you can potentially live without. You may feel you don't want to live without it, but that doesn't mean you can't. If it'll bring in some money and isn't that important, sell it. What seems important to you right this moment will not be that important in a few months. Time and circumstance are powerful tools when it comes to adjusting your behavior, so what sucks now won't matter soon enough.

Find Extra Money in Unexpected Places

Pulling coins from the couch isn't the only way to dig up a few extra dollars when you need it. In addition to earning a few extra dollars online, there are ways you may be able to turn your specific situation into free cash.

If you're an artist of some kind, or are willing to act like one for cash, many organizations offer grants for interesting ideas. The Sloan Foundation offers grants to individuals and groups seeking to create books, film, radio, and other media that serve to entertain and educate the public about scientific topics. The Tribeca Film Institute offers many programs for different types of films from a diverse range of filmmakers. Artist Trust keeps a list of several funding opportunities for more traditional artists. Writers and Editors provides a comprehensive list of fellowships and grants for all types of writers. Any of these methods can earn you a few thousand dollars for a good idea or completed work, so if there's a project that you'd like to try you should start applying.

If you're a regular person who just wants some financial assistance, look no further than the powers that be. The U.S. government provides financial assistance for a variety of reasons, like housing, food, transportation, agriculture, scientific research, legal resources, community development, and more. (You can apply for any government grant here.) Many of these opportunities can lead to new careers, so check them out and see if anything interests you.

Start Cooking Simple Meals with Frozen and Canned Foods

Fresh food, for the most part, is off the menu. This doesn't mean you should eat crappy and unhealthy frozen dinners. For one thing, those are expensive. What you can do, however, is buy frozen and canned ingredients for cooking your own meals. They cost less and preserve longer, so you can easily buy in bulk. Amazon offers good discounts on bulk orders through its Subscribe and Save program, which is free, and you can also find good deals at discount clubs like Cost Co.

The idea of resorting to less fresh food might not sound all that appealing, but unless the produce in your grocery store is straight off the farm it's probably not that much fresher. While you're rarely going to get the same level of quality from frozen and canned goods, you can still make meals that are much better than you think are really cheap. Here's what you'll need in each meal:

A legume. Lentils and beans are both cheap, easy to make, and pretty tasty. They're not everyone's favorites, but they're healthy. If this sounds absolutely repuslive to you, however, substituting a fiber-rich grain is a reasonable alternative. Brown rice and quinoa are decent options.

A lean meat like chicken or fish. (Vegetarians should stick to tofu as meat substitutes are generally more expensive and loaded with sodium.)

This is a pretty healthy way to eat and you can find plenty of ways to create variety. Black beans, veggies, meat/tofu, along with a little bit of olive oil, garlic and salt always make a good stir fry for just a few dollars. Chicken breast with a side of garlic green beans and mushrooms make another good meal. Add lentils or brown rice for a little extra. Because you're eating simply and cooking with very few ingredients, you don't need much in the way of recipes. You can simply pick out foods you like and, along with a few spices, cook them and eat them together. It may seem boring at first, but you'll likely be surprised by how good frozen and canned food can be without much work. And, of course, it'll be the cheapest good food you'll ever eat.

Get Your Entertainment for Free

Entertainment spending can be a fast way to empty your wallet without realizing it, as a movie ticket doesn't seem like much until you add it to the video games, concerts, and other fun things you

Play Games for Free in Retail Stores

Stores like when you buy things, and know there's a better chance of that happening if you're convinced you like the product. Trying it out is one effective method, which is why many brick-and-mortar retail stores let you play video games for free. For example, many Best Buys even set up a living room-like area with a couch and flat screen television so you can feel at home when you test out games. If you want to play games for free but can't afford a console, head over to a retail location and wait your turn. You'll also find some computer games in computer stores, such as Apple and Microsoft. Microsoft stores are sparse, but if you can find one you'll find Xbox 360s and plenty of Windows PCs with some sample games. Apple stores offer plenty of games on iPhones and iPads, and even a few on Macs. If you're without a computer at home, both stores are also excellent replacements for checking email, catching up on blogs, wasting time on Facebook, or anything else you can do online. Some people even make their own dance videos.

Use Your Friends

Chances are you have a few friends who are a little better off and have some of the entertainment you like. They can make an especially good replacement for movie night, as they probably have a size-able DVD/Bluray collection, a Netflix account, cable TV, or some other source of entertainment. Visit them when you feel like going out to a movie. Entertainment is generally better with company, anyhow. Just be sure not to overstay your welcome.

Catch Free Movie Screenings

If you want to avoid paying for movie tickets, you might be able to find free movie screenings in your area. In addition to seeing the movie for free, you'll often get to see it before everyone else. Some screenings in bigger cities like Los Angeles and New York will even pay you for filling out a short survey afterwards. Sites like WildAboutMovies, FilmMetro, and GoFobo are all good resources for scoring free tickets.

Find Free (or Cheap) Live Music

You may not always find the music you want for free, but if you're looking to enjoy talented musicians for free or on the cheap there are plenty of places you can go. A quick search on Yelp for free music should turn up plenty of locations that offer concerts and live performances for absolutely no money. You'll also want to look for piano bars, restaurants that regularly provide live entertainment, and street fairs that invite musicians.

Finally Get Your Finances in Order

Presumably you started this journey of cheap leaving with clothing, so now that you've reduced your living and eating costs the necessities are out of the way. With the primary problem solved, we can talk about getting your finances in check and paving the way to financial security so you can live with fewer sacrifices down the road.

Allocate Your Extra Cash Intelligently

The exciting part about living cheaply is that you're bringing in much more cash than you were before, so the only thing you really have to do is allocate that money intelligently. Some of it should always go to savings, even if you don't have debt. Saving can be as simple as socking cash away in a bank, but it won't grow much under those circumstances. A Roth IRA is a popular alternative. You won't see that money for many years, but it'll grow significantly. If you're new to investing, use a stock simulator and pretend until you get the hang of it.

But don't save everything. You need to put aside some money for going out once in a while so you don't drive yourself crazy. We only have so much willpower and can't succeed without any fun. Setting aside a little money to still enjoy yourself is important. Being frugal is about saving money you'd potentially waste, not hoarding every penny. Your happiness is important. Be sure to budget for it, too.

Whether your saddled with credit card bills or student loans, this is one of the easiest ways to chip away at it consistently. (That is, unless you can find an employer who will pay off your student loans as an incentive.) It'll require patience, but you'll be better off for it in the long run. Besides, if you're living on the cheap you should be out of debt a whole lot faster.